AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AFTER MDT

Hi , the waiting is often the worst part, so I’m sorry to hear you are in that at the moment, but at least it sounds like just a little bit longer to hear what your diagnosis is and what your treatment is. I remember when I was waiting for a diagnosis (5 years ago) I was told not to google, and I’m a big rule follower so I didn’t, I am glad for that as my diagnosis wasn’t the cancer type that was mentioned as a potential, unfortunately it was still cancer but it meant a different team would be looking after me than the Macmillan nurse who came to see me while I was in hospital. If you do have cancer the primary type of cancer dictates what the treatment is and a multidisciplinary team can call on experts from different areas to give their advice. I recently had an MRI to my liver as a CT scan showed a lesion, the MRI could look at it in more detail, the MRI actually showed it was nothing of concern. If there is a person who had tests and didn’t have a cancer diagnosis they most likely will not be here on the site to give you their positive story. 

With a cancer diagnosis, (or what ever may be diagnosed for you) there may be a lot of periods when you are waiting for results or for treatment to start and then to find out if treatment is affective so I concentrated on that aspect the dealing with uncertainty rather than trying to second guess what I would be told. I find it easier to cope in limbo when I have a date when that limbo might end, and I can plan in distractions to keep me busy, and bring a bit of joy. 

You asked if they would tell you on the phone or wether you would have an appointment, I don’t know the answer to that, in these covid times they may tell you by a phone appointment, they will want to know you are in a place with someone to support you and somewhere you can talk. A diagnosis can be a shock even if you are expecting it. You sound like you want to have some control over things so you might want to concentrate on what questions to ask when they do phone you, I’m saying this from personal experience as I wasn’t prepared and just laughed in disbelief at my diagnosis concentrating on no that can’t be right rather than ok what happens next, and how can I help myself feel better. 

You have also touched on another subject of talking about things how important that is for you, even putting things down in writing helps me, it gets things out of my head and brings a bit of clarity so I hope just typing here helps. You could also ring the Macmillan support line 0808 808 0000 and they will be a listening ear, or perhaps help with the eating aspect that you have mentioned, the lines open from 8am to 8pm. I found the information and support pages on talking about cancer and on emotional support really helpful, and the forum here helpful to find how people ahead of me with the same diagnosis were coping. 

I hope you haven’t got much longer to wait for a bit more clarity and then perhaps I can help for suggesting any further groups to join on here. Or you could browse the group button for cancer experiences or types, or look at the ask an expert section. 

Take care

Thankyou spook much for your reply .. It's helped alot .. I'm still waiting but I'm sure it won't be long now xxx

Thankyou so much ! For contacting me.. no I haven't been told anything really .. the only reason I knew my MDT was on Monday was because I called the hospital and got the Consultants Secretaries number .. she was very vague .. I called again yesterday afternoon as I didn't receive a call that day and I was just told by the Secretary that they won't be the people to talk to now .. that it's down to the MDT department to call u .. she said but u will also be called by a specialist nurse too .. but it's definitely not us .. your consultant is on holiday now this week also but that shouldn't delay them calling as your MDT was held yesterday ( meaning monday) .. So I'm no further in knowing tbh .. with regards to my weight .. they gave me some Compact shakes .. I'm supposed to mix it with 50 mil of milk three times a day but I've not even been managing that now for weeks .. I struggle even one a day and I'm just scared that IF I DO need treatments and my weight and BMI is already so low ... shouldn't they really put me on some sort of drip or whatever now before that happens ?? 

Just checking up on how you got on and whether you now have a diagnosis and a treatment plan.